What You Can and Cannot Do Online for RN Reinstatement
Most state nursing boards now offer online portals where you can submit reinstatement paperwork, pay fees, and check the status of your request. However, the actual decision to reinstate your license—and any conditions attached to it—still comes from the board itself, not from the online system. The portal is a submission and tracking tool, not an approval tool.
What you can do online varies by state. Some boards let you upload documents, pay reinstatement fees, and complete renewal forms entirely through their website. Others require you to submit certain documents (like fingerprints or official transcripts) by mail or in person, even if you start the process online. A few states still require you to mail or hand-deliver your entire reinstatement packet.
Before you begin, check your state board of nursing's website directly. Search for "RN reinstatement" or "license reinstatement" on the board's domain—not a third-party site. The board's website will tell you exactly which steps can happen online and which cannot.
Key Takeaways
- Your state board of nursing's official website is the only source for which reinstatement steps are available online in your state.
- Online portals typically let you submit forms and pay fees, but some states still require mailed documents like official transcripts or fingerprint cards.
- You will need your Social Security number, current address, and details about any disciplinary history or gaps in licensure to start an online reinstatement request.
- Processing times vary by state and by how quickly you submit all required documents, whether online or by mail.
Finding Your State Board's Online Reinstatement Portal
Each state board of nursing maintains its own website and its own reinstatement process. There is no single national portal. Start by going directly to your state board's website—do not use a search engine to find a third-party reinstatement service.
To find your board, search "[Your State] Board of Nursing" or "[Your State] Department of Health Professions." Once you are on the official board website, look for a section labeled "License Reinstatement," "Restore Your License," or "Inactive to Active." Some boards put this under "Current Licensees" rather than under a separate reinstatement heading.
If you cannot find a reinstatement section online, call the board's main number and ask whether you can begin the reinstatement process through their website. Write down the name of the person you speak with and the date of the call. If the board tells you that online submission is not available, ask what documents you need to mail and where to send them.
Documents You Will Need Before Starting Online
Gather these items before you log into the reinstatement portal. Having them ready will speed up the process and reduce the chance you submit incomplete information.
- Your Social Security number — required to verify your identity and check your record with the board.
- Your current mailing address and phone number — the board will use this to contact you about your reinstatement status.
- Your RN license number — if you have it. If not, the board can look it up using your name and Social Security number.
- Employment history for the past five to ten years — most states ask where you worked as an RN and when. Have dates and employer names ready.
- Information about any disciplinary action, criminal convictions, or substance abuse treatment — you will be asked to disclose these. Lying on a reinstatement form is grounds for denial.
- Proof of continuing education, if required — some states require you to complete a set number of CE hours before reinstatement. Check your state's rules first.
- A scanned copy of your government-issued ID — many online portals ask you to upload a photo ID to verify your identity.
- Your credit card or bank account information — to pay the reinstatement fee online. Fees range from roughly $100 to $400 depending on the state.
Step-by-Step: Submitting Your Reinstatement Request Online
The exact steps will differ by state, but this is the general flow you will follow on most state nursing board websites.
- Create an account or log in. If you have never used your state board's online system before, you will need to create a username and password. Some boards let you use your Social Security number as your login; others assign you a PIN.
- Select "Reinstatement" or "Restore License." Look for a button or menu option that says reinstatement, restoration, or reactivation. Do not select "Renewal"—that is for active licenses.
- Fill in your personal information. Confirm your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. The board will use this to pull up your old license record.
- Answer questions about your work history and any disciplinary action. Be honest and complete. If you have been out of nursing for several years, explain what you have been doing. If you have a criminal conviction or disciplinary history, disclose it.
- Upload required documents. The portal will tell you which documents you must upload (usually a photo ID and sometimes proof of CE hours). Follow the file format and size limits the portal specifies.
- Review the checklist of what the board still needs from you. Some documents—like official transcripts or fingerprint cards—may need to come by mail. The portal will list these separately and tell you where to send them.
- Pay the reinstatement fee. Enter your payment information. You will receive a confirmation number and a receipt. Save both.
- Submit your request. Click the final "Submit" button. You will receive a confirmation email with a case or process number. Write this down.
What Happens After You Submit Online
After you submit your online reinstatement request, the board will send you a confirmation email with a case number and a list of any documents still needed. Check this email carefully. If the board needs documents mailed to it (such as official transcripts from a nursing school or a fingerprint card from a background check vendor), you must mail those within the important date the board gives you—usually 30 to 60 days.
The board will then review your entire file. This can take anywhere from two weeks to three months, depending on how busy the board is and whether your file is complete. Some boards post status updates in your online account; others only contact you by email or phone. Check your online account regularly, and do not assume silence means approval.
If the board needs more information from you, it will contact you using the phone number or email address you provided. Respond promptly. Delays in responding can slow down your reinstatement by weeks.
Common Mistakes That Delay Online Reinstatement
Submitting incomplete documents. If you upload a photo ID that is blurry, cut off, or expired, the board may reject it and ask you to resubmit. Make sure any scanned document is clear, complete, and in the file format the portal accepts (usually PDF or JPG).
Not mailing required documents on time. The online portal handles some documents, but official transcripts, fingerprint cards, and other certified documents usually must arrive by mail. If you miss the important date, your process may be denied and you will have to start over.
Leaving gaps in your employment history. If you have been out of nursing for years, explain what you were doing during that time. Unexplained gaps can trigger a board inquiry and slow down your reinstatement.
Failing to disclose disciplinary history or criminal convictions. The board will find out anyway through background checks. Lying on your reinstatement form is grounds for permanent denial of your license.
Not checking your email or answering calls from the board. If the board needs clarification on something in your file, it will try to reach you. If you do not respond within the timeframe it gives you, your process may be denied.
If Your State Does Not Offer Online Reinstatement
A small number of states do not yet have online reinstatement portals. If your state board tells you that you must mail your reinstatement packet, request a printed reinstatement process form from the board. Some boards will email it to you; others will mail it.
Fill out the form completely and gather all required documents. Make a copy of everything for your records. Mail the original packet to the address the board provides, using certified mail with return receipt requested. This gives you proof that the board received your packet.
Call the board two weeks after you mail your packet to confirm it arrived. Write down the name of the person you speak with and the date. If the board says it did not receive your packet, you will have the return receipt as proof and can remail it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check the status of my reinstatement online after I submit?
Most state boards allow you to log back into your account and see the status of your reinstatement request. Some show detailed updates (like "Documents received" or "Under review"), while others only show "Pending" or "Approved." Check your state board's website or call the board if the online status does not update for more than a month.
What if I need to mail documents but I am not sure where to send them?
The online portal or your confirmation email will list a mailing address for documents that cannot be submitted online. If it does not, call the board's main number and ask for the mailing address for reinstatement documents. Write down the exact address and any special instructions (like "Attn: Reinstatement Unit").
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee online, or can I mail a check?
Most online portals require you to pay by credit card or debit card at the time of submission. A few states allow you to mail a check, but only if you submit your process by mail. Check your state board's website or call to ask whether check payment is an option.
How long does reinstatement take after I submit everything online?
Processing times vary widely by state. Some boards issue reinstatement decisions within two to three weeks; others take two to three months. The timeline depends on how busy the board is, whether your file is complete, and whether the board needs to contact you for more information. Call the board if you have not heard back within the timeframe it quoted you.
What if I submit my reinstatement online but then realize I made a mistake on the form?
Contact the board when ready by phone or through the online portal's messaging system (if available). Explain the mistake and ask whether you can correct it. Some boards will let you update information before they begin reviewing your file; others will ask you to submit a new process. Do not ignore the mistake and hope the board does not notice.